Three State Champions Seek Repeat

The strength of softball in Broward County is unquestionable. Last season three teams -- McArthur, Chaminade-Madonna and Westminster Academy -- won state championships.

So what can they do for an encore? How about repeat performances?

That certainly isn`t a reach. McArthur returns seven starters from last year`s Class 3A championship team. Eight starters are back from Chaminade- Madonna`s 2A titlists. And while Westminster`s roster includes only five starters from 1991`s 1A champs, it`s tough to bet against the Lions.

But winning again won`t be easy.

``In a lot of ways, there`s more pressure to repeat,`` said Westminster coach Bruce Buit, whose Lions have won two consecutive state titles. ``Everyone is shooting for you because if they beat you, they`ve just beaten the state champs.``

McArthur coach Cherise Coleman said she`s not worried about that sort of pressure. Last year`s Mustang team was top ranked most of the season and felt the heat that comes with being top dog.

Coleman`s hopes of defending the title are also buoyed by the fact that her returning starters include three of Broward`s best players in Valorie Waller, Jennifer Curran and Laura Purser. The Mustangs lost just one starter -- first baseman Patti Kout -- meaning most of the team understands playing under pressure.

``This team is very hungry,`` Coleman said.

Chaminade-Madonna looks to be as dominant in 2A as McArthur will be in 3A. The Lions` eight returning starters include six players who were Sun-Sentinel first- or second-team All County. Chaminade did lose Casey Nugent, the Sun- Sentinel`s 2A Player of the Year, who transferred to Hollywood Christian.

``It`s always tough to repeat but with our experience, it should be easier,`` said Chaminade coach Mike Saffran, who takes over for Sun-Sentinel 2A Coach of the Year Frank Nolan.

Chaminade gets ready for the pressure of the postseason by playing a schedule that`s top-heavy in 3A opponents. By the time the Lions get to district, regional and state tournaments, they will already have faced some of the top competition in the state.

Buit and his Westminster players know how difficult it is to repeat, but no one would be surprised if they did it again.

The team did it last season after winning the 1A title in 1990. The success of those two teams may hurt this year`s club because many of those players graduated. ``We`re not looking to repeat again,`` Buit said. ``The expectations just aren`t there this year.``

But no one would be surprised if the Lions did win again. The players who were freshmen and sophomores two years ago are juniors and seniors.

--SWAN SONG: After the season, Cooper City coach Bill Richard will head to Nova University to become that school`s first softball coach. Nova begins a fast-pitch program next year. Richard, in his 10th year with the Cowboys, has won 192 games during his career.

-- DISTRICTS, THEY ARE A CHANGIN`: Three Palm Beach teams -- Lake Worth, Forest Hill and Delray Atlantic -- have joined District 14-3A but the change occurred too late for some district opponents to include them on regular- season schedules. South Plantation switched from 4A to 3A while Douglas went from 3A to 4A.